Australian actor Patrick O'Connor is best known for his prominent role as Dean Thompson on Home and Away. He joined the cast in 2018 as a member and eventual leader of the "River Boys" surf gang, a character type that previously proved very popular with fans. In real life, O'Connor began dating his co-star Sophie Dillman, who played his on-screen partner Ziggy Astoni, and the couple left the show together in March 2023 to travel the world. Following their departure, fans were delighted by the news in late 2024 that the pair would briefly reprise their roles for a guest appearance storyline set to air in 2025.